Abby B. As a young kid, I wasn’t a fan of the library – in fact, I was never a book lover. But as I grew older, books became a source of inspiration and a way to take a break from the noisy world.
I’m sure that’s the reason you love books (and the quiet library) so much – and I’m here to tell you that you can make your passion for organizing both a hobby and a way to make an income (online!).
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
17 Best Side Hustles For Librarians
This might sound cliché, but there’s no better way to make an income online than building an audience that loves you. It will take some time to learn how to create good content for social media like TikTok or even Instagram Reels, but it can be very rewarding for both your personal and professional life.
You can start by creating content about your personal life and share videos of things you do on a daily basis. Alternatively, share tips on how to get a job as a librarian or insights for another hobby you have – completely up to you.
It’s also best to make content involving products or services that you love. You’ll gain followers in no time and will get sponsorship deals from brands. Be genuine!
2. Build a podcast for the book niche
As a librarian, your life can be a little quiet for most of the time, but it doesn’t have to be like that beyond your working hours. I personally believe that even the most introverted person has some wise things to share but needs the right people to share to.
So if you want a side hustle that involves talking and knowledge sharing, creating your own podcast is a great head start. The best way to start is by choosing a niche for your entire podcast and just stick to it for another 50 episodes or so.
You’ll need to learn how to use an audio editing software and purchase a good microphone to speak into.
Podcasters have also transitioned to video-record their sessions and monetize them with YouTube. It is generally much easier to consume podcasts compared compared to videos as it takes less attention!
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
Check out: 30+ book podcasts for book lovers
3. Create an informational YouTube channel on reading
Not everyone loves using social media – but I’m sure a lot of us love YouTube. While it may seem a little daunting at first, building a YouTube channel is actually very doable even for the most busy individuals.
I personally prefer creating videos for YouTube compared to TikTok or Instagram, as it has a wider reach beyond just your followers. Almost every video I upload get views from (NEW) non-subscribers!
However, just like social media, sharing your personal journey in public is a popular trend on YouTube. I find it even more engaging if you include tips for others going through the same journey.
Sharing useful information or entertaining videos work as well!
Just make it easier for yourself by having your tripods and gears in a fixed position for you to start recording. Reducing decision fatigue works wonders!
Interesting YouTube channels in the book niche:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
If creative writing is your forte, try educational content writing for your own blogs. Although the first is more aligned to your personal interest, the second will get you found on Google Search – and make you a lot of money.
Building your own blog is not as complicated compared to creating a full-fledged ecommerce website. Start with this beginner blogging course or check out my free step-by-step guide on how to set up a blog.
You can blog anonymously without showing your face or using your real name. Just like YouTube, it takes about a year of consistent publishing of articles to make any income with a blog.
Blogging is an ideal side hustle to start if you’re not looking for immediate cash! Similar to podcasting, I highly suggest sticking to a single niche for your blog.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
If you already a mini influencer on your socials, consider monetizing your audience with affiliate products or services. Compared to sponsorships, promoting affiliates is a passive way to make an income with social media.
Anyone can be visiting your profile and clicking the links at any time of day. Depending on the affiliate program you get into, you will earn a % of commission for purchases made via your link.
It’s best to stay genuine and promote products or services that you personally love using. Some affiliate marketplaces to check out are Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising.
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
6. Learn photography and sell book stock photos online
Have a professional DSLR camera lying around in your house? You can make money by learning photography and selling stock photos.
As an example, not everyone with a blog has enough relevant images to use. So, they will resort to paying for quality photos of books or bookshelves that aligns with their content.
I always encourage others to build passive income streams online if they already have a full-time job. So although you can offer photography services for events, it will take a chunk of your time and energy.
You can always do both if it suits you!
Selling stock photos may not make much in the beginning, but it’s an online side hustle that works for introverts and those who love building passive income. Your photos can be sold at any time even as you’re sleeping.
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera – Photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
7. Start freelance writing for content websites or blogs
If you did like the idea of writing I mentioned above, but looking for immediate income instead of waiting a year on a blog, freelance writing can make you a good side income.
You skip the hassle of building a blog and get paid by other bloggers or website owners instead. However, to get started, you’ll need to build a portfolio to showcase your writing skills and offer to work for a cheaper rate compared to more advanced writers.
Freelance writers earn up to $100 per article and even more if they’re specialized in writing for a niche.
This beginner freelance writing course is the one I took myself to start my SEO writing career. It has everything you need to start earning from clients tomorrow! Includes how to pitch to clients for topics they can’t resist.
| What do I need to start? | – SEO content writing skills – Good command of English or the language you intend to write for – Platform to promote your freelance writing service |
Check out: How to start freelance writing and make money (the ultimate resource)
8. Become a remote library consultant
Are you a seasoned librarian? Chances are you have the right experience to become a library consultant.
Offering consulting services for libraries is possible even if you’re doing it remotely. Businesses may need help initially to set up their library of digital media or administrative records.
You can look for these roles via traditional job portals but filter out for remote work or create a post within Upwork. Alternatively, make yourself visible on LinkedIn to get prospects and business owners to naturally inquire your freelance services.
| What do I need to start? | – Experience in library management – Platform to market your services |
9. Pet-sitting for others in your neighborhood
Sometimes it’s best to get yourself a side hustle that allows you take a break from your 9-5. Not everyone is looking for a challenging or mentally-taxing side hustle so if you just need something that makes an income, you can offer pet-sitting services in your area.
This is highly doable if you’re a natural pet lover and are experienced with taking care of your own pets.
Pet sitters typically make $15-20 per visit and usually take more than 10 visits in one day. That’s easily $400-600 in a single weekend!
You can also look to become a babysitter or nanny for friends or neighbors. People are always more inclined to send their kids over if they personally know you.
Services you can include with pet sitting:
- Walking
- Home boarding
- Sleepovers and night care
- Training
- Bring to vet
- Basic grooming & care
- Travel trips
| What do I need to start? | – Good skills with pets e.g. dogs, cats – Tools for the service you want to offer – Socializing to get clients |
10. Thrift second hand items and resell for profit
The easiest way to make extra money on the side today is to sell your unused stuffs. I sometimes get buyers within a day or two of posting my items on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Poshmark.
Sort out the things in your house and start selling them, it’s possible to price them higher than what you paid initially.
Even if you don’t have your own stuffs to sell, you can purchase second hand goods and resell them for profit. Offline places to find these items are your local flea market or if a neighbor place their unwanted items by the roadside.
Some popular things to flip are furniture, antiques, jackets, car accessories and tech stuffs.
| What do I need to start? | – An eye to spot underpriced valued goods – Skills and platform to sell online or offline – A small budget to purchase your first second hand item |
Check out: How to start reselling things as a side hustle
11. Become a part-time barista at a local café
The second best way to start a side hustle tomorrow is to take up a part-time retail job. Businesses are inclined to hire college students and even elderlies – there shouldn’t be a limitation nowadays.
However, I like to make your side hustle more specialized beyond just a retail job. Consider becoming a part-time barista at a local café – this way you’ll build a skill that’s functional even for your daily life.
Depending on the hecticness of the café, it is a fairly easy-going job. You’ll love it more if you’re a coffee drinker yourself and it complements your librarian customer-dealing skills.
The job does not require professional education, compared to becoming a pâtissier or a chef.
| What do I need to start? | – Professional barista training – Food safety knowledge |
12. Offer online tutoring to kids or school students
To make your new side hustle easier, you’ll want to consider ways to monetize the audience you’re already serving in your full-time job. Perhaps you’re dealing with school kids on a daily basis at the library and able to identify what subject needs extra work.
You can tap into this audience by offering tutoring services be it physical or an online one. Since you’re already meeting some of these potential customers, a physical tutoring session isn’t an impossible idea.
Alternatively, join online tutoring platforms for a wider reach and ability to schedule your time better. Best to start teaching a single subject only!
Some sites you can promote your online tutoring services on:
| What do I need to start? | – Patience to teach – Relevant module depending on subject you’re teaching – Platform to promote your tutoring service |
13. Host workshops to teach a skill or create paid online courses
I believe everyone has a monetizable skill that someone else is looking to learn. This can be as simple as baking, sewing or even gardening.
As an example, I once attended a tempeh-making workshop. It was a 2-hour intimate class where all the ingredients and tools were prepared for, I just needed to participate and bring the final product home.
If any of your personal hobbies or current ventures come to mind, you might be able to make money teaching it. You can teach via physical workshops or make it passive by selling pre-recorded online courses on learning platforms.
Pricing depends entirely on the course module and the value your customers are getting but in my experience, a single basic course is usually priced at $30, $47 and $67.
I find that people are more inclined to purchase (even for a much higher price) if the skill helps them make or save money themselves!
Some sites to host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
14. Complete online surveys for cash
Short on time and looking for something you can do on the go? Completing surveys should be your go-to. Most online surveys is doable using a mobile phone and does not require you to use a computer.
When signing up for an account, you will usually need to give an overview of your background (demographic, career) just so they could assign surveys that matches your profile. For example, some surveys are catered to younger individuals instead of older ones.
Although completing surveys is not a passive side hustle and can’t make you a lot of money, it’s easy to do and you’re able to fit it into your schedule easily.
Users are usually paid after finishing multiple surveys and meeting an income threshold. The amount of income for each survey varies depending on the complexity and time taken to complete.
| What do I need to start? | – Your mobile phone – Signing up to online survey platforms |
Want to make $300 this month?
Easy! Just fill up surveys in your free time on Survey Junkie!
Save up for that dream vacation. You deserve it.
15. Become a research assistant or research librarian
If you’re someone who loves spending hours on a single topic and deep dive to understand things better, you can work in research.
Just like the sample Upwork posting I’ve attached below, businesses may be looking for freelance research librarians.
Depending on the job, you’ll need to research online and conduct interviews or studies for purpose of research. You’ll also need skills to tie the results together and provide summaries to your client.
Generally, research assistants are usually needed for 20-30 hours per week hence a part-time role is perfectly doable.
| What do I need to start? | – Extensive research skills – Ability to summarize findings in professional way |
16. Offer proofreading services as a freelancer
As I mentioned above, you might already be networking with your probable clients on a daily basis. If most visitors to the library are college students and grad students, offering proofreading services compared to tutoring may work better.
Proofreaders are needed for academic papers, online articles and even websites. Clients generally prefer native speakers of the language and usually pay a fixed price as the task is pretty straightforward.
Basic proofreading usually does not involve any editing work as your clients will be editing the work themselves – you will only point out any mistakes. If you have extra time on hand, you can upsell by offering editing services as well.
Other freelance services you can offer on Upwork:
- Translator
- Transcriptionist
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Virtual assistant
| What do I need to start? | – Great written and spoken command of primary (native) language – Attention to details |
17. Sell designs on merchandise with print on demand
Thought of starting an ecommerce business but unsure if you can commit to it? Print on demand is one you can manage passively from home without handling any operations.
Print on demand is essentially placing designs on merchandise where it will only get printed once a customer makes a purchase. You don’t need to be owning the products or machines yourself – a POD fulfillment like Printify or Printful will do it for you.
You’ll just need to create designs on sites like Canva or Kittl and upload them to your Etsy shop or Shopify store. Your chosen fulfillment will handle the printing and shipping of orders to your customers!
If you’re artistic and have an eye for good design, POD works well. Even if you don’t, you can buy ready designs on creative marketplaces like Creative Fabrica or Envato Elements.
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
15 Side Hustles For Book Lovers
Based on the current trends, here are 15 best side hustles for book lovers:
- Work part-time for a bookstore
- Become an influencer to get sponsorships
- Promote affiliates for reading-related products
- Start a YouTube channel on books
- Build a podcast in the book niche
- Write book reviews on your own blog
- Self publish a book on Amazon KDP
- Rent out your books to others
- Take freelance jobs as a writer for other blogs
- Design merchandise with your favorite quotes
- Create book-related products to sell on Etsy
- Sell digital products for book lovers on Etsy
- Proofread others’ written work
- Become a narrator for audiobooks
- Become a freelance beta reader for books, eBooks and manuscripts
9 Work From Home Jobs For Librarians
If you’re looking for remote work, these are 9 work from home jobs for librarians:
- Remote digital asset librarian
- Library research specialist
- Library consultant
- Library retrieval specialist
- Legal research librarian
- Systematic literature surveillance editor
- Administrative assistant
- Content organizer for websites
- Library marketing manager
11 Freelance Librarian Jobs To Explore
Here’s a list of 11 freelance librarian jobs you can explore in your spare time:
- Online reference librarian
- Virtual assistant
- Content writer
- Social media manager
- Community manager
- Proofreader
- Transcriber
- Copywriter
- Editor
- Research assistant
- Online tutor
Which Side Hustle Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustle for librarians you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which side hustle is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
There are so many side hustles you can explore as a librarian (or even as an aspiring one). Start by writing down all kinds of knowledge you have, then expand further by specifying how they can be monetized.
The best way to get started with side hustles is to TRY. Pick at least one or two things I’ve shared above, give time and you’ll eventually find something that works for you!
I will always recommend building passive income streams to no longer trade time for money.
Here are 17 best side hustles for librarians:
- Build an audience with social media and get sponsored
- Build a podcast for the book niche
- Create an informational YouTube channel on reading
- Share educational info with your own blog
- Promote affiliate links for reading-related products
- Take up photography and sell book stock photos online
- Start freelance writing for content websites or blogs
- Become a remote library consultant
- Pet-sitting for others in your neighborhood
- Flip second hand items for cash
- Become a part-time barista at a local café
- Offer online tutoring to kids or school students
- Host workshops to teach a skill or create paid online courses
- Complete online surveys for cash
- Become a research assistant or research librarian
- Offer proofreading services as a freelancer
- Sell designs on merchandise with print on demand
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
